Anchored retaining wall system

Abstract

A retaining wall system ( 20 ) comprises at least one wall panel ( 24 ) and two vertical frame members ( 40 ), each frame member ( 40 ) having a web ( 56 ), two flanges ( 54 ) and an end secured within the ground. Each wall panel ( 24 ) has a face ( 28 ) with a plurality of mounting brackets ( 38 ) protruding therefrom, and is supported in mechanically retained vertical orientation between the flanges ( 54 ) of adjacent frame members ( 40 ). A plurality of connectors ( 46 ), each having a proximal end ( 48 ) secured to a respective one of said mounting brackets ( 38 ) and extending horizontally therefrom to a distal end ( 50 ) secured to a respective one of a plurality of anchors ( 52 ) is also disclosed. Optionally, a plurality of Jersey barrier panels ( 106 ) or acoustic panels are similarly mechanically retained to form a Jersey barrier or acoustic barrier, respectively. Further is disclosed a method for erecting a retaining wall according to the invention.

I claim:  
     
       1. An improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) for use with granular fill ( 22 ), said improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) being of the type having: 
       a plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) each having an exposed face ( 26 ), a fill contacting face ( 28 ), a first lateral end ( 30 ), a second lateral end ( 32 ), an upper panel surface ( 34 ), a lower panel surface ( 36 ) and a plurality of mounting brackets ( 38 ) protruding from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) thereof;  
       at least two upright frame members ( 40 ) in the form of I-beam support columns, each such column ( 40 ) having two parallel flanges ( 54 ) and a transverse web ( 56 ) extending therebetween, and being positioned such that its web ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the web ( 56 ) of every other frame member ( 40 ) and is substantially normal to a notional wall line ( 58 ) defined by the plurality of frame members ( 40 ), each of said upright frame members ( 40 ) having a first end ( 42 ) secured within the ground ( 43 ) and a second end ( 44 ) vertically disposed thereto, said frame members ( 40 ) being positioned and dimensioned to support said retaining wall panels ( 24 ) in mechanically retained vertical orientation therebetween;  
       said plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) being positioned in vertically stacked relation to one another, and being laterally separated one from another respectively by said frame members ( 40 ), in lateral relation to one another, so as to form a retaining wall ( 122 ) of selected height and length,  
       wherein the improvement is characterized by:  
       a plurality of non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ), and  
       a plurality of anchoring means ( 52 ) each having an anchoring flange ( 84 ) directed along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said fill contacting face ( 28 ),  
       with each such non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) having a proximal end ( 48 ) secured to a respective one of said mounting brackets ( 38 ) on the fill contacting face ( 28 ) and extending outwardly therefrom to a distal end ( 50 ) secured to a respective one of said anchoring means ( 52 ), with all anchoring means ( 52 ) being secured to at least a respective one of said non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ),  
       wherein a plurality of reinforcing means ( 68 ) are positioned within each wall panel ( 24 ),  
       wherein each said mounting bracket ( 38 ) comprises a metal tie ( 38 ) embedded within the wall panel ( 24 ) in mechanically retained wrapped engagement around at least a respective one of said plurality of reinforcing means ( 68 ) cast therein, each said mounting bracket ( 38 ) having a protruding end ( 76 ) protruding from said wall panel ( 24 ), and  
       wherein the non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) comprise metal straps, said metal straps being flat in cross-section.  
     
     
       2. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) are constructed from cementitious materials, and wherein said one or more wall panels ( 24 ) so constructed each comprise one or more layers ( 96 ) of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement. 
     
     
       3. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 2 , wherein said one or more layers ( 96 ) of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement constitutes an exposed face layer ( 96 ) of said one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ). 
     
     
       4. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) are constructed from chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement. 
     
     
       5. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) each further comprises a weeping means ( 74 ). 
     
     
       6. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 5 , wherein said weeping means ( 74 ) comprises at least one plug ( 74 ) of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement and cast contiguously with each of said one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) so as to extend therethrough from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) to the exposed face ( 26 ) thereof. 
     
     
       7. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 6 , wherein the weeping means ( 74 ) comprises two of said plugs ( 74 ) of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement. 
     
     
       8. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein each frame member ( 40 ) is secured within the ground ( 43 ) by containment within one of a respective plurality of concrete footings ( 60 ), said concrete footings ( 60 ) extending into the ground ( 43 ) to a selected depth. 
     
     
       9. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 8 , further comprising a continuous network of drainage piping ( 64 ) adjacent to said wall line ( 58 ) and at a horizontal level ( 66 ) adjacent an upper end ( 124 ) of the concrete footing ( 60 ) of each frame member ( 40 ). 
     
     
       10. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall panels ( 24 ) are retained in their respective positions from lateral movement by the webs ( 56 ) of adjacent frame members ( 40 ) and retained from movement away from said wall line ( 58 ) by the flanges ( 54 ) of said frame members ( 40 ). 
     
     
       11. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein each wall panel ( 24 ) has an upwardly disposed panel tongue ( 70 ) extending along its upper panel surface ( 34 ) and a corresponding panel groove ( 72 ) extending along its lower panel surface ( 36 ), and wherein the panel tongues ( 70 ) and panel grooves ( 72 ) are rigidly engageable. 
     
     
       12. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 11 , further comprising compression means ( 98 ) positioned between vertically adjacent wall panels ( 24 ). 
     
     
       13. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein the panel tongue ( 70 ) of each said wall panel ( 24 ) has an upper tongue surface ( 100 ) and wherein said compression means ( 98 ) comprises a seam bearing pad ( 102 ) extending along said upper tongue surface ( 100 ) and being constructed of strong and compressible material. 
     
     
       14. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 12 , wherein said compression means ( 98 ) comprises two end bearing pads ( 104 ), positioned upon the upper panel surface ( 34 ) adjacent to the first lateral end ( 30 ) and the second lateral end ( 32 ) and being constructed of strong and compressible material. 
     
     
       15. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , wherein each said anchoring means ( 52 ) comprises a bar of substantially T-shaped cross-section defining two of said anchoring flanges ( 84 ), each of said anchoring flanges ( 84 ) being oriented normally to a connecting flange ( 86 ) of said anchoring means ( 52 ). 
     
     
       16. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 15 , wherein each of the mounting brackets ( 38 ) has, adjacent its protruding end ( 76 ), an opening ( 88 ) therethrough sized and dimensioned to receive a first fastening means ( 90 ). 
     
     
       17. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 16 , wherein each of the non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) has, adjacent each of its proximal ( 48 ) and distal ( 50 ) ends, an opening ( 92 ) therethrough sized and dimensioned to receive a first fastening means ( 90 ). 
     
     
       18. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 17 , wherein each connecting flange ( 86 ) has a centrally disposed opening ( 94 ) therethrough sized and dimensioned to receive a first fastening means ( 90 ). 
     
     
       19. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 18 , wherein the proximal end ( 48 ) of each non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) is secured to a respective one of said mounting brackets ( 38 ) by a first fastening means ( 90 ), and the distal end ( 50 ) of each non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) is secured to a respective one of said anchoring means ( 52 ) by a first fastening means ( 90 ). 
     
     
       20. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 19 , wherein the distal end ( 50 ) of each non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) is secured to a respective one of said anchoring means ( 52 ) by a first fastening means ( 90 ), with said distal end ( 50 ) operatively abutting the anchoring flange ( 84 ) so as to prevent pivotal rotation of said anchoring means ( 52 ) about said first fastening means ( 90 ). 
     
     
       21. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 20 , wherein the anchoring means ( 52 ), first fastening means ( 90 ), frame members ( 40 ), mounting brackets ( 38 ) and non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) are constructed from galvanized metal. 
     
     
       22. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of Jersey barriers ( 106 ), each said Jersey barrier ( 106 ) being adapted for sliding, retained insertion between adjacent frame members ( 40 ) so as to be retained in their respective positions from lateral movement by the webs ( 56 ) of adjacent frame members ( 40 ) and retained from movement away from said wall line ( 58 ) by the flanges ( 54 ) of said frame members ( 40 ) in lateral end-to-end relation to one another, and wherein said plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) are positioned in vertically stacked relation to one another as aforesaid above respective ones of the Jersey barriers ( 106 ). 
     
     
       23. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of Jersey barriers ( 106 ) positioned atop the retaining wall ( 122 ) in vertically stacked relation thereto, each said Jersey barrier ( 106 ) being adapted for sliding, retained insertion between adjacent frame members ( 40 ) so as to be retained in their respective positions from lateral movement by the webs ( 56 ) of adjacent frame members ( 40 ) and retained from movement away from said wall line ( 58 ) by the flanges ( 54 ) of said frame members ( 40 ) atop said retaining wall ( 122 ) in lateral end-to-end relation to one another. 
     
     
       24. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of acoustic panels ( 112 ) positioned atop the retaining wall ( 122 ), each said acoustic panel ( 112 ) being adapted for sliding, retained insertion between adjacent frame members ( 40 ) so as to be retained in their respective positions from lateral movement by the webs ( 56 ) of adjacent frame members ( 40 ) and retained from movement away from said wall line ( 58 ) by the flanges ( 54 ) of said frame members ( 40 ) atop said retaining wall ( 122 ) in lateral end-to-end relation to one another. 
     
     
       25. An improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) for use with granular fill ( 22 ), said improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) being of the type having: 
       a plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) each having an exposed face ( 26 ), a fill contacting face ( 28 ), a first lateral end ( 30 ), a second lateral end ( 32 ), an upper panel surface ( 34 ), a lower panel surface ( 36 ) and a plurality of mounting brackets ( 38 ) protruding from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) thereof;  
       at least two upright frame members ( 40 ) in the form of I-beam support columns, each such column ( 40 ) having two parallel flanges ( 54 ) and a transverse web ( 56 ) extending therebetween, and being positioned such that its web ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the web ( 56 ) of every other frame member ( 40 ) and is substantially normal to a notional wall line ( 58 ) defined by the plurality of frame members ( 40 ), each of said upright frame members ( 40 ) having a first end ( 42 ) secured within the ground ( 43 ) and a second end ( 44 ) vertically disposed thereto, said frame members ( 40 ) being positioned and dimensioned to support said retaining wall panels ( 24 ) in mechanically retained vertical orientation therebetween;  
       said plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) being positioned in vertically stacked relation to one another, and being laterally separated one from another respectively by said frame members ( 40 ), in lateral relation to one another, so as to form a retaining wall ( 122 ) of selected height and length,  
       wherein the improvement is characterized by:  
       a plurality of non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ), and  
       a plurality of anchoring means ( 52 ) each having an anchoring flange ( 84 ) directed along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said fill contacting face ( 28 ),  
       with each such non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) having a proximal end ( 48 ) secured to a respective one of said mounting brackets ( 38 ) on the fill contacting face ( 28 ) and extending outwardly therefrom to a distal end ( 50 ) secured to a respective one of said anchoring means ( 52 ), with all anchoring means ( 52 ) being secured to at least a respective one of said non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ),  
       wherein each wall panel ( 24 ) has an upwardly disposed panel tongue ( 70 ) extending along its upper panel surface ( 34 ) and a corresponding panel groove ( 72 ) extending along its lower panel surface ( 36 ), and wherein the panel tongues ( 70 ) and panel grooves ( 72 ) are rigidly engageable,  
       wherein the retaining wall system ( 20 ) further comprises compression means ( 98 ) positioned between vertically adjacent wall panels ( 24 ),  
       wherein the panel tongue ( 70 ) of each said wall panel ( 24 ) has an upper tongue surface ( 100 ) and wherein said compression means ( 98 ) comprises a seam bearing pad ( 102 ) extending along said upper tongue surface ( 100 ) and being constructed of strong and compressible material, and  
       wherein said seam bearing pad ( 102 ) is constructed of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement, and is cast contiguously with said wall panel ( 24 ).  
     
     
       26. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 25 , wherein a plurality of reinforcing means ( 68 ) are positioned within each wall panel ( 24 ). 
     
     
       27. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 26 , wherein the plurality of reinforcing means ( 68 ) comprise a plurality of reinforcing bars ( 68 ). 
     
     
       28. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 26 , wherein each said mounting bracket ( 38 ) comprises a metal tie ( 38 ) embedded within the wall panel ( 24 ) in mechanically retained wrapped engagement around at least a respective one of said plurality of reinforcing means ( 68 ) cast therein, each said mounting bracket ( 38 ) having a protruding end ( 76 ) protruding from said wall panel ( 24 ). 
     
     
       29. An improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) for use with granular fill ( 22 ), said improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) being of the type having: 
       a plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) each having an exposed face ( 26 ), a fill contacting face ( 28 ), a first lateral end ( 30 ), a second lateral end ( 32 ), an upper panel surface ( 34 ), a lower panel surface ( 36 ) and a plurality of mounting brackets ( 38 ) protruding from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) thereof;  
       at least two upright frame members ( 40 ) in the form of I-beam support columns, each such column ( 40 ) having two parallel flanges ( 54 ) and a transverse web ( 56 ) extending therebetween, and being positioned such that its web ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the web ( 56 ) of every other frame member ( 40 ) and is substantially normal to a notional wall line ( 58 ) defined by the plurality of frame members ( 40 ), each of said upright frame members ( 40 ) having a first end ( 42 ) secured within the ground ( 43 ) and a second end ( 44 ) vertically disposed thereto, said frame members ( 40 ) being positioned and dimensioned to support said retaining wall panels ( 24 ) in mechanically retained vertical orientation therebetween;  
       said plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) being positioned in vertically stacked relation to one another, and being laterally separated one from another respectively by said frame members ( 40 ), in lateral relation to one another, so as to form a retaining wall ( 122 ) of selected height and length,  
       wherein the improvement is characterized by:  
       a plurality of non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ), and  
       a plurality of anchoring means ( 52 ) each having an anchoring flange ( 84 ) directed along a plane substantially parallel to the plane of said fill contacting face ( 28 ),  
       with each such non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ) having a proximal end ( 48 ) secured to a respective one of said mounting brackets ( 38 ) on the fill contacting face ( 28 ) and extending outwardly therefrom to a distal end ( 50 ) secured to a respective one of said anchoring means ( 52 ), with all anchoring means ( 52 ) being secured to at least a respective one of said non-rigid connecting means ( 46 ),  
       wherein each wall panel ( 24 ) has an upwardly disposed panel tongue ( 70 ) extending along its upper panel surface ( 34 ) and a corresponding panel groove ( 72 ) extending along its lower panel surface ( 36 ), and wherein the panel tongues ( 70 ) and panel grooves ( 72 ) are rigidly engageable,  
       wherein the retaining wall system ( 20 ) further comprises compression means ( 98 ) positioned between vertically adjacent wall panels ( 24 ),  
       wherein said compression means ( 98 ) comprises two end bearing pads ( 104 ), positioned upon the upper panel surface ( 34 ) adjacent to the first lateral end ( 30 ) and the second lateral end ( 32 ) and being constructed of strong and compressible material, and  
       wherein the end bearing pads ( 104 ) are constructed of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement, and are cast contiguously with said wall panel ( 24 ).  
     
     
       30. An improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) for use with granular fill ( 22 ), said improved retaining wall system ( 20 ) being of the type having: 
       a plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) constructed from cementitious materials and each having an exposed face ( 26 ), a fill contacting face ( 28 ), a first lateral end ( 30 ), a second lateral end ( 32 ), an upper panel surface ( 34 ), a lower panel surface ( 36 ) and a plurality of mounting brackets ( 38 ) protruding from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) thereof;  
       at least two upright frame members ( 40 ) in the form of I-beam support columns, each such column ( 40 ) having two parallel flanges ( 54 ) and a transverse web ( 56 ) extending therebetween, and being positioned such that its web ( 56 ) is substantially parallel to the web ( 56 ) of every other frame member ( 40 ) and is substantially normal to a notional wall line ( 58 ) defined by the plurality of frame members ( 40 ), each of said upright frame members ( 40 ) having a first end ( 42 ) secured within the ground ( 43 ) and a second end ( 44 ) vertically disposed thereto, said frame members ( 40 ) being positioned and dimensioned to support said retaining wall panels ( 24 ) in mechanically retained vertical orientation therebetween;  
       said plurality of wall panels ( 24 ) being positioned in vertically stacked relation to one another, and being laterally separated one from another respectively by said frame members ( 40 ), in lateral relation to one another, so as to form a retaining wall ( 122 ) of selected height and length;  
       wherein the improvement is characterized by:  
       one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) each comprising a weeping means ( 74 ), said weeping means ( 74 ) comprising at least one plug  74  of chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement and cast contiguously with said each of said one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ) so as to extend therethrough from the fill contacting face ( 28 ) to the exposed face ( 26 ) thereof.  
     
     
       31. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 30  wherein said wall panels ( 24 ) have one or more discrete layers ( 96 ) of said chemically mineralized and neutralized fibres blended with Portland cement. 
     
     
       32. A retaining wall system ( 20 ) according to  claim 31 , wherein said one or more discrete layers ( 96 ) constitutes an exposed face layer ( 96 ) of said one or more of said wall panels ( 24 ).